Energy and sustainable development nexus: A review

Abstract

As the global trend toward affordable, clean and efficient energy systems continues to accelerate, there is a real need to enhance the holistic understanding of the nexus between energy and sustainable development. Based on bibliometrics, this review collates and connects the published evidence on the energy and sustainable development nexus, and shows that: 1) there has been a rapid increase in research on the nexus between energy and sustainable development in recent years; 2) nexus research methods mainly include network analysis model, econometric model, input-output model, system dynamics model, and integrated assessment model; 3) low-carbon, efficient and modern energy development has the potential to synergize with all aspects of sustainable development goals. However, there is also the risk of trade-offs with three-quarters of the goals, covering human well-being, material condition, natural environment, and partnerships; and 4) nexus research shows an evolutionary trend from duality to pluralism, from static to dynamic, and from theory to practice. Future research is expected to systematically assess the impact of energy development on larger cross-systems and how energy development could be synergized with comprehensive sustainable development.